An email from "the Tax Office" — phishing or real?
DIRECT ANSWER
The Tax Office never sends "instant payment" or "instant refund" links by email. 6 red flags + report route.
Reviewed by FFCheck-redactie · Last reviewed 2026-05-28
The Tax Office uses the "blue envelope" and MijnBelastingdienst for formal communication — NEVER emails with pay or login links. Phishing red flags:
- wrong sender domainreal is "@belastingdienst.nl", phishing is "belastingdienst-2026.com" or "@bd-nl.net"
- urgent threat ("pay today or seizure tomorrow")
- unusually low or high "refund" + iDEAL link
- generic greeting
- link to bit.ly or fake domain
- requests DigiD login via link or BSN confirmation. What to do: do NOT click. Forward to valse-email@belastingdienst.nl and report to fraudehelpdesk.nl. Already clicked and gave DigiD? Immediately change DigiD password at digid.nl, call DigiD helpdesk 088-1236555, file police report. If paid: call bank immediately for chargeback.
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